How to make free calls on a mobile

Savvy computer users have been making calls via Skype's software for ages. Now mobile network 3 is offering the facility on its latest handsets. Emma Lunn finds out more

Many computer users are making free phone calls through programs such as Skype that use the internet instead of the phone system. Now it's possible to connect to the internet while on the move via your mobile phone, and 3, the mobile network, is capitalising on this by offering a handset that includes Skype so that you can make calls via the internet when you're out and about — in addition to your normal mobile calls.

The move comes as competition hots up in the mobile market as networks offer innovations to attract and retain customers. Skype has been around as a computer application for some time and enables PC users to make voice calls over the internet via "voice over internet protocol" (known as VoIP).

PC users can make calls to ordinary landlines and mobiles via Skype as well as call each other, but they pay a small fee to do so. Calls between Skype users, regardless of where they are in the world, are free.

The 3 Skypephone is available on both 3 pay-as-you-go (PAYG) and monthly contracts. PAYG customers pay £49.99 for the handset and will need to top up with at least £10 every 30 days to get free Skype calls.

Monthly contract customers can get the 3 Skypephone for free and can make Skype calls and send Skype instant messages on top of their normal call and text allowance. Calls can be made as normal over the mobile network: PAYG customers are charged a flat rate of 12p per minute for calls and 12p per text, and access to voicemail is free.

Contract customers get a set amount of inclusive calls and texts each month. Steve Weller of price comparison website uSwitch. com says anything free is great. "They are not asking for much of a financial commitment," he notes.

"Contract customers can get the Skypephone on contracts costing as little as £12 a month."

He adds that it will appeal to groups of friends who can call each other for free via Skype, as well as those with family abroad.

Rob Barnes, the head of mobiles at moneysupermarket.com, points out that Skype can be a great way for frequent travellers to save money.

Barnes says: "However, this is only a great offer if you are already one of Skype's 246m registered customers or if you can convince your friends and family to also buy a 3 Skypephone. While people remain on different networks this is not really a viable purchase."

WHAT IS SKYPE?

Skype uses voice over internet protocol (VoIP) to make telephone calls over the internet.

WHAT DO YOU NEED?

A PC or Mac and broadband connection or a 3 Skypephone

Skype software which you can download from the its website (skype.com) or which is built in to the 3 Skypephone.

A free Skype account If you are using a computer, you will need speakers and a microphone or a headset, or a special phone which plugs into your computer or your router and uses your internet connection rather than the landline.

HOW MUCH DOES IT COST?

Calls between Skype users are free regardless of where they are in the world. National calls in the UK are 1.2p a minute; calls to mobiles cost 14.4p a minute and international calls start at 1.2p per min, all exclusive of VAT.

WHAT ARE THE ALTERNATIVES?

Other VoIP services available for computers include BT Broadband Talk, Plustalk Broadband Phone, Vonage and Tesco Internet Phone. All offer free calls between users and cheap national, international and mobile calls.

HOW DOES SKYPE COMPARE WITH TRADITIONAL PHONE SERVICES?

Calls between Skype users are free so it is only really a good deal if you know lots of people on Skype or have friends and family abroad with the software.

The main downsides are that you can only call someone when they have their PC switched on and are logged into Skype, and you cannot call 999 on Skype. Depending on your equipment, the sound quality is pretty good – about as good as a mobile – although there can be a slight time delay.

As for price, for SkypeOut calls (to a non-Skype phone) via PC Skype can be quite competitive depending on how many calls you make and for how long. The Primus Saver 2 tariff offers free evening and weekend calls to UK landlines without any monthly fee, although most other companies charge around £4 a month for this.

If you need daytime calls too, you can get an unlimited any time UK landline call package for about £6 or £7 a month. In both cases you will need a BT line which costs £10.50 per month.

Alternatively, an override provider or prefix number can cut the cost of calls.

For example, 1899.com and 18185.co.uk both charge 5p per call to any UK landline, regardless of call length. You need to set up an account on the internet and then dial the prefix before making a call. 18185.co.uk is also cheap for calling mobiles, charging a 5p connection fee plus 6p per minute on weekdays and 3p per minute at weekends.

How much it costs to call internationally varies with country but 1899.com charges 1p a minute to the US, compared with 1.2p per minute on Skype. However, Skype is cheaper if you call a mobile in Australia – 11.6p per minute compared to 15p per min on 1899.com – so think about where you call before choosing a supplier.

So if you're au fait with technology and prepared to do a little research, you can save money on making calls.